Visiting student victim of road rage attack in Hucknall

Christopher Why, who is from Wakefield in west Yorkshire, was visiting the town last summer to see friends.

As he was driving towards a roundabout on Portland Road, a BMW cut across him, forcing him into a sudden stop, Nottingham Magistrates’ Court heard.

But the driver of the BMW -- Lee Wilson (34), of Green Close, Hucknall -- blamed Why and stormed out of his car.

“Wilson repeatedly punched the windows and doors of Mr Why’s car and then pulled the driver’s door open,” said Sanjay Jerath (prosecuting).

“While Mr Why was strapped in his seat belt, Wilson punched him in the face and shouted abuse.

“Mr Why tried to grab his phone to call the police, while his friends in the car tried to get the BMW’s registration number.

“Eventually, other people came over to assist and Mr Why waited in a nearby Aldi car park before the police arrived.

“Mr Why suffered swelling to his cheek, pain to his head and nerve damage. He also had four teeth knocked out of line.”

Wilson, a self-employed builder, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Mr Why by beating him on Wednesday 9th July.

Clare Roberts (defending) said Wilson was now ashamed of his behaviour and “deeply regretful”.

“The red mist descended and he acted without thinking,” said Miss Roberts. “”With hindsight, he knows he should have dealt with this in a different way.”

Miss Roberts said that the attack was “entirely out of character” because although Wilson has 14 previous convictions on his record, none were for violence.

District Judge Robert Zara told Wilson: “There is no doubt this was an unprovoked assault. It doesn’t matter whether or not the other driver was at fault. This is an unacceptable way to behave.

“Your record does you little credit, but at least you stayed out of trouble for the five years before this incident.”

Wilson was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to be supervised by the probation service and to attend a Thinking Skills programme. He was told to pay compensation to Mr Why of £500 and court costs of £525.